Light rail construction returns after holiday break

Here are some road closures in Federal Way.

By Keelin Everly-Lang • January 11, 2024 9:24 am
Map of recent overnight lane closures on SR 516 at 30th Avenue South. These closures were from Jan. 9-11 and more like it are coming this month. Photo courtesy of Sound Transit
Map of recent overnight lane closures on SR 516 at 30th Avenue South. These closures were from Jan. 9-11 and more like it are coming this month. Photo courtesy of Sound Transit

If you’ve noticed a lack of construction on the roads of Federal Way, that’s because the Federal Way Link Extension project observes a holiday roadway construction moratorium from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day. The City of Federal Way implements the moratorium to keep the streets open and easily navigable during the busy holiday season.

This means construction has now returned. Here is what is coming up.

• In early January, one lane of South 330th Street at a time will be closed overnight for drainage system installation. Two-way traffic will still be allowed.

• From mid-January until sometime between April and June, 23rd Avenue South will become a one-way road while the northbound lane is closed. To travel northbound, drivers will be directed with signage to use Pete von Reichbauer Way South instead.

• In late January, South 317th Street will have several closures. This will start with overnight flagging and lane closures for around two nights as they set up barriers to prepare for the next phase of construction. Once this is complete, the two outside lanes will be the only ones available for use for about two months.

• Sound Transit will be installing new utility lines and drainage under the center lanes, and according to the agency, will ensure that driveway and sidewalk access is always maintained.

Sound Transit will also be looking for input from the community in the spring regarding about six acres of surplus property near the Federal Way Transit Station. After construction is done, this area will be transformed into new retail, residential or mixed-use development depending on community feedback to Sound Transit.

The Tacoma Link Light Rail extension also affects the streets of Federal Way. The draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for this piece of the project will be coming out in mid-2024.

Although no construction will happen until that EIS is finalized, Federal Way residents may see “crews conducting land and water surveys along the project corridor,” according to the project website, as they evaluate the various route alternatives being considered.

Field work could include “noise and vibration monitoring, wetland delineation, environmental site assessments and more,” and will continue throughout the environmental review phase of the project.

This EIS will provide a thorough outline of the options for routes connecting Federal Way to Tacoma. The Mirror reported on these options in March of 2023.

More permanent changes to roadways in Federal Way during 2024 through 2025:

• The Federal Way Transit Center bus loop will relocate permanently to the future Federal Way Downtown Link station.

• New street grids will form on S. 319th St., S. 318th St., and 22nd Ave. S.

• A roundabout will be constructed at the 23rd Ave. S. and S. 317th St. intersection to regulate traffic flow and ensure intersection safety.